55
drank The Black Lodge by August Uncommon Tea
1548 tasting notes

Summoned by the allure of controversy.

Followed directions (good derk!): 3.5g, 300mL, 212F, 4min.

The smokey element is at the forefront but not overwhelming for me. It tastes like a fireplace with a stone-ash feeling, not so meaty-bbq. Caramel-coffee note reminds me of that brand of instant cappuccino — what was the name, International Delights? (I hated the stuff as a kid.) Banana tastes like banana chips (surprise) and blends really well with the cappucino note. A tinge of sweetness from the blackberry leaf and probably the banana chips. I’m not sure about the truffle flavor, maybe something like damp mushroomy-peaty earth but definitely not pungent truffle oil. I feel like there isn’t much depth or body — the recurring failure of cheap base tea.

A splash of almond milk toned down the smoke and made this even more instant cappucino-like and turned the banana toward pudding.

So! It feels like late autumn in northeastern Ohio. Can you smell the fireplace smoke fingering through that cold, damp air? Like I’m walking the edges of a peat bog and into the surrounding second-growth forest, where I slip on a patch of wet leaves and take a tumble into a cup of banana cappuccino. What?

Really, truly good for only one steep because the base tea is lacking. I think I like it though.

Even though I’m not really into flavored teas, I continue to try things from August Uncommon. I enjoy that they combine seemingly disparate ingredients to create a conceptual sip. Whether that always turns out well… is entirely up to the sipper.

Courtney

Love the “take a tumble into a cup of banana cappuccino”. Very Alice in Wonderland vibes.

Martin Bednář

Ohio reminiscence brought Finland for me! And today forest trip (I went picking mushrooms with my mum) was another reason. Ahh. want to be there… everything was so alright…

White Antlers

It’s very autumnal here in the Northeast. Foggy, chilly mornings, drizzle, that slightly cold smell of decay in the air mixed with the sweetness of apples and the darkness of wood fires. I gave up on AUT a long time ago. Consistently disappointed and underwhelmed. Whomever writes their copy is masterful but their blender-not so very much, as a friend used to say.

gmathis

There’s nothing more slippery than wet leaves! Wear your cleats next time, friend ;)

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Comments

Courtney

Love the “take a tumble into a cup of banana cappuccino”. Very Alice in Wonderland vibes.

Martin Bednář

Ohio reminiscence brought Finland for me! And today forest trip (I went picking mushrooms with my mum) was another reason. Ahh. want to be there… everything was so alright…

White Antlers

It’s very autumnal here in the Northeast. Foggy, chilly mornings, drizzle, that slightly cold smell of decay in the air mixed with the sweetness of apples and the darkness of wood fires. I gave up on AUT a long time ago. Consistently disappointed and underwhelmed. Whomever writes their copy is masterful but their blender-not so very much, as a friend used to say.

gmathis

There’s nothing more slippery than wet leaves! Wear your cleats next time, friend ;)

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Bio

This place, like the rest of the internet, is dead and overrun with bots. And thus I step away.

Eventual tea farmer. If you are a tea grower, want to grow your own plants or are simply curious, please follow me so we can chat.

I most enjoy loose-leaf, unflavored teas and tisanes. Teabags have their place. Some of my favorite teas have a profound effect on mind and body rather than having a specific flavor profile. Terpene fiend.

Favorite teas generally come from China (all provinces), Taiwan, India (Nilgiri and Manipur). Frequently enjoyed though less sipped are teas from Georgia, Japan, Nepal and Darjeeling. While I’m not actively on the hunt, a goal of mine is to try tea from every country that makes it available to the North American market. This is to gain a vague understanding of how Camellia sinensis performs in different climates. I realize that borders are arbitrary and some countries are huge with many climates and tea-growing regions.

I’m convinced European countries make the best herbal teas.

Personal Rating Scale:

100-90: A tea I can lose myself into. Something about it makes me slow down and appreciate not only the tea but all of life or a moment in time. If it’s a bagged or herbal tea, it’s of standout quality in comparison to similar items.

89-80: Fits my profile well enough to buy again.

79-70: Not a preferred tea. I might buy more or try a different harvest. Would gladly have a cup if offered.

69-60: Not necessarily a bad tea but one that I won’t buy again. Would have a cup if offered.

59-1: Lacking several elements, strangely clunky, possess off flavors/aroma/texture or something about it makes me not want to finish.

Unrated: Haven’t made up my mind or some other reason. If it’s pu’er, I likely think it needs more age.

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California, USA

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